"Creativity distinguishes between a leader and a follower."
Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple.
I think this is a great idea for people to apply to their businesses - particularly in the current climate of caution and uncertainty. Creativity, as a business tool, is often seen as the property of 'creative' industries - design, marketing, web development etc. But people overlook the role that creativity has to play in any business.
In every part of your business there's an opportunity to apply creativity. If we take a look at the four brand touchpoints: your product or service; your people; your communication; your working environment - what opportunities do they offer for delivering creativity? Take a long look at what you currently do and ask yourself 'Why?'. Or if you want to be really brave ask your customers what they would like you to do! Is there a new way of doing what you currently do, that will bring added value to your business? Take a look. What do you think?
The reason for this is simple. If you can find new ways of doing things you will stand out from those around you. And that can make you more attractive; not just to potential clients, but to new staff or investors too - whoever you want to appeal to.
So how do you see your business? As a leader or a follower?
If you would like to have a chat about your brand, and what it could do for your business, email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk or call 01392 248107
Click hear for more Brand Tips.
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
Tuesday, 8 December 2009
Advent Quiz: Day 6
Welcome to Day 6 of the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz. Tell us the company that this logo belongs to, by identifying this letter, and you can win a (small, low value, edible) prize.
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Ebay
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Ebay
Monday, 7 December 2009
Advent Quiz: Day 5
Welcome to Day 5 of the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz. Tell us the company that this logo belongs to, by identifying this letter, and you can win a (small, low value, edible) prize.
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to the previous letter
Ford
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to the previous letter
Ford
Favourite Advert - festive edition!
This isn't new, but I was reminded of it this weekend listening to some Christmas music. It's a great parody of a Christmas classic. They've reinterpreted it fit their brand, really nailed the attention to detail, then added a great twist to subvert the original.
But most importantly, it's just really funny! Hope you enjoy it.
But most importantly, it's just really funny! Hope you enjoy it.
Friday, 4 December 2009
Advent Quiz: Day 4
Welcome to Day 4 of the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz. Tell us the company that this logo belongs to, by identifying this letter, and you can win a (small, low value, edible) prize.
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Starbucks
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Starbucks
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Advent Quiz: Day 3
Welcome to Day 3 of the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz. Tell us the company that this logo belongs to, by identifying this letter, and you can win a (small, low value, edible) prize.
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Dell
Just send a Direct Message to @AlderandAlder on Twitter, or email jonathan@alderandalder.co.uk - first reply with the right answer wins... Come on, what are you waiting for!
This is important: Don't tweet the answer in the open - so everyone can see it - because you will be disqualified: We won't be able to include any entries received after that in the 'grand prize'. You can find out more about the Alder and Alder Advent Quiz here.
The answer to yesterday's letter
Dell
More of the green stuff
I found a link to this video on Twitter last week. It's a run through a few case studies - businesses talking about what sustainability has done for them, put together by The Prince's Mayday Network. If you've got a few minutes it's worth taking a look. The interesting thing is that the businesses featured (including Kingfisher - owners of B&Q - and Adnam's Brewery) are measuring the benefit financially, not good will or brownie points.
What made the film more interesting for me was that I had just got back from the DEBI Awards at the Met Office when I found the link. The DEBI Awards are like a modest version of the Oscars - no expensive dresses or showbiz razzmatazz - just some of the best green businesses in Devon, gathering to see who is going to be a winner. Last year we were finalists, but this year I just went to be inspired by the finalists, and the energy and effort they have invested to find more sustainable ways of doing business. I had a really interesting chat with Otter Brewery about their - now award-winning - 'eco-cellar'. By buring the new cellar in the ground they have doubled their storage capacity, but minimised the amount of additional energy they need to consume.
That morning I had been at a workshop run by the Exeter Carbon Club, looking at ways of reducing energy costs. It was a really interesting session, with a wide range of businesses - I was sitting with a deli in Princeshay and Exeter City Football Club. But the message was the same - a sustainable approach to business saves you money. And there was a great example from one of the businesses in the room - a large law firm with an office in Exeter. By simply turning off equiment that was left on overnight and over weekends in their building (a big building), they were able to make a five-figure saving in energy costs over 12 months. And they did this by simply walking through the office one weekend and spotting all the equipment left on. It's not always a case of investing in new technology, sometimes it's just changing behaviour.
It was an amazing day, with a constant flow of stories from businesses - large and small, local and international - about how a sustainable approach to business was delivering a financial benefit. Really inspirational.
So when I read that even the Bank of England are recommending a low carbon economy as the route out of recession, you begin to wonder if you can feel just a little bit optimistic about the future. What do you think?
What made the film more interesting for me was that I had just got back from the DEBI Awards at the Met Office when I found the link. The DEBI Awards are like a modest version of the Oscars - no expensive dresses or showbiz razzmatazz - just some of the best green businesses in Devon, gathering to see who is going to be a winner. Last year we were finalists, but this year I just went to be inspired by the finalists, and the energy and effort they have invested to find more sustainable ways of doing business. I had a really interesting chat with Otter Brewery about their - now award-winning - 'eco-cellar'. By buring the new cellar in the ground they have doubled their storage capacity, but minimised the amount of additional energy they need to consume.
That morning I had been at a workshop run by the Exeter Carbon Club, looking at ways of reducing energy costs. It was a really interesting session, with a wide range of businesses - I was sitting with a deli in Princeshay and Exeter City Football Club. But the message was the same - a sustainable approach to business saves you money. And there was a great example from one of the businesses in the room - a large law firm with an office in Exeter. By simply turning off equiment that was left on overnight and over weekends in their building (a big building), they were able to make a five-figure saving in energy costs over 12 months. And they did this by simply walking through the office one weekend and spotting all the equipment left on. It's not always a case of investing in new technology, sometimes it's just changing behaviour.
It was an amazing day, with a constant flow of stories from businesses - large and small, local and international - about how a sustainable approach to business was delivering a financial benefit. Really inspirational.
So when I read that even the Bank of England are recommending a low carbon economy as the route out of recession, you begin to wonder if you can feel just a little bit optimistic about the future. What do you think?
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